How to Avoid Toxicity on Social Media

 

How many times have you felt bad about yourself eating pizza in front of the TV while your friends were traveling across the French Riviera, sipping on a glass of Rosé? 💩
With the constant use of smartphones in our daily lives, we develop an addiction to social media which can have serious repercussions on our mental health. 

Here are some steps to take control of the use of social media and achieve a healthier balance. 

1. Set aside a dedicated time allotment to use social media

It is very easy to develop an addiction to social media. As soon as we open our eyes in the morning, we check our emails, we check our social media accounts. Then throughout the day we are constantly checking our Instagram account and staying posted on any new pictures. 
Make sure to give yourself a limit to use social media per day, to avoid spending hours on TikTok, Youtube, or Facebook. The iPhone lets you check how much screen time you spend daily on various activities, which will give you an indication of how time-consuming social media is.

2. Remind yourself that some people on social media fake their lives

This is something very common that everyone will relate to. Some people get obsessed with showing that they have a fancy or luxurious lifestyle, or that they are party animals and have a lot of friends. Many Instagram models or influencers are known to use Photoshop or photo enhancements applications that will give them a slimmer figure, or a tanned body. Just because someone is posting that they are having fun on a night out doesn't mean that they are happy. Unfortunately, social media has created a huge pressure on people to show their exciting lives. So make sure you always remember that social media isn't real life.

3. Remember the core function of social media 

Social media platforms are a tool to communicate and stay in touch with friends and family or to get inspiration and ideas, and possibly to follow some interesting educational pages. While social media can be a source of entertainment, excessive use of some platforms might cause you anxiety. Make sure to use social media wisely without allowing you to cause stress.

4. Unfollow pages or accounts that cause you to feel insecure

If your friends are giving you negative vibes, or if a celebrity you are following is constantly making you feel bad about your life or even body, unfollow them. You are in control of who you want to see and also of what you want to see. Instead, follow pages or accounts that make you feel positive and bring you comfort. 

5. If you feel you are being cyber-bullied, take a step away

It is very important to watch out for any cyberbullying activities towards you or your children. Cyberbullying can have a very negative impact on our mental health and can cause us distress and devastation. People can leave negative or offensive comments or even messages, sometimes they post their political or religious opinions that can cause an unpleasant argument. Make sure to step away from this kind of situation by blocking or deleting these people from your account, and note that you can also report this to any social media platform you are using.

6. Live your life to the fullest

If you are in the Scottish Highlands, or at the Grand Canyon, or in Bora Bora, just make sure to seize the moment, enjoy what's in front of you, and do not worry about taking hundreds of pictures for the 'gram, or taking the right poses with the right outfit. Although photos are a great way to capture a moment forever, we shouldn't obsess about taking the same posed selfie over and over.

7. And finally, it is okay to take a break

If you feel overwhelmed with social media and the anxiety it might causes, it is absolutely fine to take a break from it, by deactivating your account, which will give you the option to reactivate whenever you feel ready. That way you don't lose your image archives, your friends connections, and any engagement you might have, but at the same time get a time out where you can focus on yourself and gain some positivity back.